The Autoimmune RESET

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In this episode of The Autoimmune RESET Podcast, I’m joined once again by Dane Johnson, founder of Crohn’s Colitis Lifestyle, to explore what it really takes to move beyond symptom management and create long-term remission.

After nearly losing his life to Crohn’s and colitis complications, Dane rebuilt his health and has now been medication-free and in remission for over 10 years. Today, he helps others understand the deeper factors that may be driving chronic inflammation.

We discuss why medication can be an important tool, but why supporting the foundations of health is key — including digestion, the gut microbiome, the intestinal barrier, nervous system regulation and detoxification pathways.

We also explore hidden triggers that may keep the immune system activated, including infections, mould exposure, toxins and chronic stress, as well as why creating a healthier home environment can support recovery.

In this episode we cover:

• The five areas Dane believes are essential for staying in remission
• Why gut health influences autoimmune conditions beyond IBD
• How stress and the nervous system impact healing
• The importance of tracking your own symptoms and becoming the “CEO” of your health
• Simple daily strategies to support resilience and long-term wellbeing

Whether you are living with Crohn’s, colitis, IBS, alopecia, Hashimoto’s or another autoimmune condition, this conversation will help you understand the bigger picture behind immune health and rebuilding balance.

Connect with Dane:
Website: https://crohnscolitislifestyle.com/

Instagram: @crohnscolitis_lifestyle

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

You can also connect with me here:

Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

When you're living with an autoimmune condition, chronic fatigue, or simply feeling overwhelmed, supporting your nervous system doesn't have to mean adding another hour to your day.

In this week's Friday Five, I'm sharing five simple habits that take just a few moments but can make a real difference to how you feel. These are practical tools you can weave into your day to help reduce stress, create a greater sense of calm, and gently encourage your body to spend more time in a state of rest and repair.

We explore why small, consistent moments of safety matter for nervous system regulation and how they may support healing alongside good nutrition, lifestyle and medical care.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why a slow exhale can help stimulate the vagus nerve and encourage a calmer state.
• How writing your thoughts down can reduce overwhelm and create mental clarity.
• Why creating a feel-good playlist can positively influence your mood and nervous system.
• A simple technique called orienting that helps bring you back into the present moment.
• How slowing down just one everyday activity can send reassuring signals of safety to your brain and body.

Resources mentioned:

• BreathPod app for guided breathing exercises
• Listen to my previous podcast episode with breathwork expert Dan Brulé
• Join The Autoimmune Forum for more practical tips and daily support
• Subscribe to The Autoimmune RESET Podcast so you never miss an episode

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so grateful if you could subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who could benefit from a little more calm in their day.

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout. 

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

Rheumatoid arthritis is often thought of as a condition that only affects the joints, but emerging research suggests the story begins much earlier and extends far beyond them.

In this episode of The Autoimmune RESET, registered nutritionist VJ Hamilton explores the latest evidence surrounding rheumatoid arthritis, including the fascinating links between the gut microbiome, intestinal barrier, oral health and immune regulation. You'll learn why researchers now believe that immune dysfunction may begin at mucosal surfaces such as the gut and mouth years before joint symptoms develop, and how factors including microbial diversity, nutrition, sleep and stress can influence immune resilience.

VJ explains the science in an accessible and practical way, covering the role of key bacteria such as Prevotella copri and Akkermansia muciniphila, why butyrate-producing bacteria are so important, and how oral bacteria may contribute to immune activation. She also discusses the gut-joint axis, why stool testing has become such a valuable tool in personalised nutrition, and the simple lifestyle changes that can support your immune system alongside conventional medical care.

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, are supporting someone who has, or simply want to better understand autoimmune disease, this episode offers practical, evidence-based insights to help you look beyond symptom management and towards supporting the root causes of immune dysfunction.

The Root Reset® Intensive

A private, in-person experience designed to help you connect the dots, identify potential root causes, and create a personalised six-month strategy for improving your health.

The first Root Reset® Intensives will be taking place on Harley Street in London this summer.

You can apply here. 

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use the code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout. 

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

You can also connect with me here:

Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

Removing gluten can feel overwhelming at first, particularly when so much of our food culture revolves around bread, pasta, cereals, and convenience foods. Yet one of the biggest lessons I've learnt after more than a decade of being gluten-free is that success isn't about finding perfect gluten-free replacements for everything you used to eat.

It's about discovering new foods that you genuinely enjoy.

In this episode, I share five of my favourite gluten-free swaps that I use regularly in my own kitchen and recommend to clients. From courgetti and buckwheat to quinoa porridge and tamari, these simple alternatives can help you build a more varied, nutrient-dense diet without feeling restricted or deprived.

We also explore why some people don't tolerate oats as well as expected, where hidden sources of gluten can sneak into your diet, and why focusing on what you can add often makes dietary changes far more sustainable than focusing on what you're removing.

Whether you're newly gluten-free, supporting an autoimmune condition, or simply looking for fresh meal ideas, this episode is packed with practical inspiration.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why gluten-free living doesn't have to feel restrictive
• The mindset shift that makes dietary changes easier to maintain
• Courgetti as an alternative to traditional pasta
• Why tamari and coconut aminos are useful gluten-free staples
• Quinoa porridge and chia pudding as alternatives to oats
• The nutritional benefits of buckwheat
• Nori wraps and lettuce wraps as alternatives to sandwiches
• Hidden sources of gluten that many people overlook
• How to build a naturally gluten-free diet using whole foods

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

You can also connect with me here:

Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever found yourself wondering whether the next supplement, test, diet, or protocol might finally be the thing that helps you feel better?

If so, you're certainly not alone.

In this week's Friday 5, I explore one of the most common patterns I see in clinic: people who are highly motivated, incredibly knowledgeable, and doing all the "right" things, yet still feel stuck when it comes to their health.

The truth is that more information does not always lead to better health. Sometimes what we need most is clarity, prioritisation, and a strategy.

In this episode, I share five signs that you may need a health strategy rather than another supplement, along with practical tips to help you simplify your approach and focus on what matters most.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why the search for the "missing piece" can sometimes keep us stuck

• The difference between collecting information and creating a strategy

• What an overflowing supplement cupboard may really be telling you

• Why trying to fix everything at once often slows progress

• The importance of looking for patterns rather than focusing on individual symptoms

• How to identify the areas of health that deserve your attention first

• Why clarity is often more powerful than complexity

Mentioned in this episode:

The Root Reset® Intensive

A private, in-person experience designed to help you connect the dots, identify potential root causes, and create a personalised six-month strategy for improving your health.

The first Root Reset® Intensives will be taking place on Harley Street in London this summer.

You can apply here. 

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use the code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout. 

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

You can also connect with me here:

Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

Many people focus on nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes to improve their health, but often overlook one of the most powerful healing tools available to them: their breath.

In this episode, I am joined by breathwork pioneer and bestselling author Dan Brulé, whose book Just Breathe has helped thousands of people understand the profound connection between breathing, stress, energy, and wellbeing. Dan has spent decades teaching breath mastery to everyone from elite athletes and military personnel to individuals navigating chronic illness, anxiety, pain, and fatigue.

Together, we explore how breathing patterns influence the nervous system, why so many people unknowingly live in a state of chronic survival mode, and how simple breath awareness practices can help regulate stress, improve resilience, and support healing.

We discuss:

•  Dan's remarkable journey into breathwork and the experiences that shaped his life's work 
•  The connection between breathing, stress, and nervous system regulation 
•  Why chronic stress can contribute to inflammation and immune dysregulation 
•  Common breathing mistakes, including mouth breathing and shallow chest breathing 
•  The importance of diaphragmatic and nasal breathing 
•  How breathwork may help with pain, fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, and chronic health challenges 
•  The role of carbon dioxide in health and why many people are over-breathing 
•  A simple breathing assessment you can try at home 
•  The power of sighing and yawning for relaxation and nervous system regulation 
•  Practical ways to become more aware of your breathing throughout the day 
•  Why breath awareness is often the first step towards lasting change 

Whether you're living with an autoimmune condition, chronic fatigue, stress, or simply looking for a practical way to improve your wellbeing, this conversation offers simple yet powerful tools that you can begin using immediately. 

Resources

📖 Just Breathe by Dan Brulé

🌐 Dan's website: BreathMastery.com

📱 Follow Dan on Instagram here

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

You can also connect with me here:

Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

In this week’s episode of The Autoimmune RESET, I’m joined by Mickey Trescott, one of the leading voices behind the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), to discuss the evolution of AIP, the science behind it, and why the new version is far more flexible, sustainable, and nuanced than many people realise.

We explore Mickey’s own personal journey with autoimmune disease, how she used nutrition and lifestyle changes to support her recovery, and the research that has emerged around AIP over the last decade. We also discuss why so many people with autoimmune conditions react differently to foods, how reintroductions should actually work, and the importance of avoiding fear-based or perfectionist approaches to healing.

One of the things I particularly appreciated in this conversation is the focus on nutrient density rather than restriction alone. Mickey explains why many “healthy” diets can still leave people depleted nutritionally, and how the updated AIP framework aims to support people in a much more realistic and individualised way.

We also talk about:

•  The difference between core AIP and modified AIP 
•  Why food reactions are not always immediate 
•  The role of gut health and immune regulation 
•  Practical first steps for implementing AIP without overwhelm 
•  Why some people struggle with overly restrictive wellness messaging 
•  The importance of reintroductions and long-term sustainability 
•  Common mistakes people make when trying elimination diets 
•  How to approach autoimmune healing without perfectionism 

Whether you are completely new to AIP or have tried it before, this episode offers a much more balanced and evidence-aware perspective on how food can support autoimmune health.

Resources & Links

• The New Autoimmune Protocol: The Complete Guide to Managing Autoimmune Disease
•  Follow Mickey Trescott for more on AIP and autoimmune health: https://www.instagram.com/mickeytrescott/

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

You can also connect with me here:

Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

For this week’s Friday Five episode, we are talking about histamine overload and five simple ways to naturally reduce histamine burden without becoming fearful of food or excessively restrictive.

Histamine intolerance is often far more nuanced than simply reacting to high-histamine foods. In this episode, I explore the deeper connections between histamine, the nervous system, gut health, inflammation, stress, nutrient deficiencies, and immune regulation.

We discuss why symptoms like headaches, flushing, hives, sinus congestion, anxiety, palpitations, bloating, poor sleep, and feeling “wired” can sometimes be signs that the body’s overall inflammatory load has become too high — and how supporting the body more holistically can help improve resilience over time.

Inside this episode, we cover:

• Why histamine is not inherently “bad”
• The histamine bucket analogy and why symptoms can suddenly appear
• The connection between stress, mast cells, and nervous system dysregulation
• How gut health and the microbiome influence histamine levels
• Why blood sugar balance and sleep matter more than many people realise
• The role of leftovers and food freshness in histamine symptoms
• Nutrients involved in histamine breakdown including vitamin C, magnesium, B6, zinc, and copper
• Gentle, practical ways to support the body naturally

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Nurosym vagus nerve stimulation device. Use code VJ10 for a discount: Nurosym

Functional Gut Testing & Advanced Testing Options: Gut Testing Information

5 Day Burnout RESET: download here

📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach?
→ Apply to work with me
— we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals.

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use the code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout. 

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

You can also connect with me here:

Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

In this week’s Friday Five, I’m breaking down some of the standard blood markers I commonly look at in clinic when somebody is dealing with autoimmune disease, inflammation, fatigue, or hair loss — including alopecia.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that “normal” blood tests automatically mean everything is functioning optimally. But in reality, many people continue to struggle with symptoms despite being told their results are fine.

In this episode, I explain why interpretation matters just as much as the numbers themselves, and why looking at patterns across the body can often reveal far more than one isolated marker.

I discuss:

• Ferritin, transferrin and the wider iron picture
• Why ferritin alone may not tell the full story in inflammatory conditions
• Thyroid markers beyond TSH, including Free T3, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies
• The role of thyroid hormone conversion in energy, metabolism and hair health
• Vitamin D and immune regulation
• Zinc and its role in immune resilience, skin and hair health
• White blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocyte patterns in autoimmune disease
• What triglycerides can tell us about metabolism, blood sugar regulation and inflammation
• Why markers like serum B12 or HbA1c may not always reflect the full picture
• The importance of interpreting symptoms alongside laboratory testing

This episode is not about becoming fearful of blood tests or obsessing over numbers. It’s about understanding the body more deeply and recognising that subtle shifts in markers can sometimes provide important clues long before symptoms become more significant.

If you’ve ever been told “everything looks normal” but still feel that something is off, this episode is for you.

📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach?
→ Apply to work with me
— we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals.

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use the code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout. 

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I explore a frequently overlooked but fundamentally important driver of hair health — fat digestion.

While much of the conversation around hair loss focuses on nutrients, hormones, and stress, what is often missed is whether your body is actually able to digest, absorb, and utilise those nutrients effectively.

We look at how bile production, liver function, and gallbladder activity influence the breakdown and absorption of fats — and why this matters so much for fat-soluble vitamins essential for hair growth.

I also explore the role of gut health, including how certain bacteria and endotoxins such as LPS can disrupt digestion and contribute to inflammation, alongside the impact of toxins and mould exposure on bile flow and detoxification pathways.

This episode will help you understand why you might feel like you are doing everything right, yet still not seeing progress — and how supporting digestion at a foundational level can shift that.

 Key Topics

•  Why fat digestion is essential for hair growth and follicle resilience 
•  The role of bile, the liver, and the gallbladder in nutrient absorption 
•  How hormonal shifts, including perimenopause and menopause, influence bile flow 
•  The impact of gut bacteria, dysbiosis, and LPS on inflammation and hair health 
•  How toxins — including mould — are processed and excreted through bile 
•  Why sluggish bile flow can lead to toxin recirculation 
•  Signs that fat digestion may not be working optimally 
•  Practical ways to support digestion, absorption, and detoxification

📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach?
→ Apply to work with me
— we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals.

🧪 Want to understand what’s happening beneath the surface?
→ I use functional testing in clinic to assess gut health, nutrient status, and digestion — including markers related to bile flow, microbial balance, and inflammation.
You can explore the tests I use here:
https://theautoimmunitynutritionist.com/functional-testing/

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.